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Reflections on Golf and Life After ECU Injury - Part 14


I am subtitling this: “the Tao of Cipher”

Last week I was able to play my first full round of golf in over two years.  It was not pretty, but it was so much fun.  I completely chunked about nine shots and I took at least 4 penalties.  I had the absolute best time doing so.  A co-worker and I took a couple business partners out and it was very rewarding to be able to do that again.  All the hard work, patience and time weighing the tough decisions have been to the benefit of playing again without a concern at this point and without any sort of swing alteration to do so.  I am incredibly pleased with the result and with being able to play again. 

It gives me great joy to know there are many days including yesterday in which my wife will mention the positive change she has seen in me.  I don’t want to keep bringing up perspective, because I think it is and has been the least relatable thing in this blog so far based on the reactions and comments.  I will just leave this series to be for now with a few final thoughts.  This is probably one of the best things that ever happened to me, even if my wrist decides to give out next week.  If everything continues to go well don’t be surprised if I play quite a bit less than I did in the past, but also enjoy the game more than I ever have.  Don’t be surprised if I do not work on the swing at the same level or someday soon really at all.  Don’t be surprised if there are days I would rather go throw a disc into some chains or go fishing with my son and daughter nearly every weekend.  Don’t be surprised if I have little to no interest in playing competitive golf.  I will however probably try and get the game in shape enough to qualify for and be part of the Newport Cup if I am lucky enough to be chosen.  I was looking forward to that the last time and I would like to redeem that missed opportunity.  I am most looking forward to meeting some of people I have not met yet from the site and also seeing those again that I have. 

Thank you to all who have read this series and have wished me well over these past couple years.  If anyone comes across this blog in the search for information on this injury, please reach out to me if you are experiencing the same thing.  I know the information out there is not great.

I will possibly try and continue with another series of blogs in the future, but for this series on the “Reflections on Golf and Life After ECU Injury” I am signing off, for now.   Wishing you all great health and don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy each day you are.

9 Comments


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JetFan1983

Posted (edited)

I'm 8 months* into this injury situation with my left triceps and recovery has been less than fun. I also just got an MRI on my neck last week to see if I have a pinched nerve, which may be the reason for the shoulder pain I've had for the last eleven months. Very depressing times for me when it comes to my golf hobby. Your recovery gives me hope that there's hope. Still no word on my shoulder pain issue, but hopefully I get an answer soon.

If it takes me two years, it takes me two years. Congrats, Nate. Really happy for you. Injuries like these definitely put the game of golf into its proper perspective. My plan once I'm healthy is to do some traveling and play various golf courses other than my home course. Score will be at the bottom of the priorities list. 

Great post, and thanks for sharing. 

*Actually ten months but had a setback, so I'm not really counting the first two months. 

Edited by JetFan1983
  • Upvote 1
cipher

Posted

32 minutes ago, JetFan1983 said:

I'm 8 months* into this injury situation with my left triceps and recovery has been less than fun. I also just got an MRI on my neck last week to see if I have a pinched nerve, which may be the reason for the shoulder pain I've had for the last eleven months. Very depressing times for me when it comes to my golf hobby. Your recovery gives me hope that there's hope. Still no word on my shoulder pain issue, but hopefully I get an answer soon.

If it takes me two years, it takes me two years. Congrats, Nate. Really happy for you. Injuries like these definitely put the game of golf into its proper perspective. My plan once I'm healthy is to do some traveling and play various golf courses other than my home course. Score will be at the bottom of the priorities list. 

Great post, and thanks for sharing. 

*Actually ten months but had a setback, so I'm not really counting the first two months. 

I've known you long enough to know it is not just an 8 month thing for you either.  The injury deal off and on for you has been going on well before my incident two years ago.  I really hope you get through this and can enjoy doing what you love to do Constantine.  Glad to know this blog has shown that has helped you look towards a positive outcome for your golf future.  I believe it can and will happen for you.

  • Upvote 1
bkuehn1952

Posted

Keep re-habbing the game.  The odds are against it but maybe we will be partners at the Newport Cup.  Lucky you!

  • Upvote 1
JonMA1

Posted

We're all members of this forum because we have some level of passion for the game in common. I think it would take an injury to prevent me from playing golf because even at my skill level, it's simply a lot of fun. But it shouldn't be the single-most important part of my life.

Over the last several years, golf has dominated my free time. I think your series of blog entries made me think more about some of things I used to enjoy. ... perhaps made me realize I might need to bring a little variety back.

I think I can speak for everyone in that we're happy in the progress and apparent recovery. I hope you continue to enjoy the time back out on the course.

  • Upvote 2
cipher

Posted

23 hours ago, bkuehn1952 said:

Keep re-habbing the game.  The odds are against it but maybe we will be partners at the Newport Cup.  Lucky you!

Thank you, and yeah I will keep at it and if I am lucky enough I would love to be part of the NC.

18 hours ago, JonMA1 said:

We're all members of this forum because we have some level of passion for the game in common. I think it would take an injury to prevent me from playing golf because even at my skill level, it's simply a lot of fun. But it shouldn't be the single-most important part of my life.

Over the last several years, golf has dominated my free time. I think your series of blog entries made me think more about some of things I used to enjoy. ... perhaps made me realize I might need to bring a little variety back.

I think I can speak for everyone in that we're happy in the progress and apparent recovery. I hope you continue to enjoy the time back out on the course.

I think that you hit on some of the main points here indeed.  Thank you for the kind words as well!

cipher

Posted

Just an update as the golf season has past for this year.  It turned out to be a great year of golf and I was able to fulfill one of my wishes from years ago which was to play in the Newport Cup.  I was not as competitive as I had hoped, but I am honestly thankful to have been given the opportunity to play in that tournament.  I actually found that I can enjoy playing competitively even if I don't play well at times.  I mostly enjoyed meeting many of the people I had not had a chance to meet until now.  

My decision to have the surgery has turned out to be a good one.  I don't feel it hinders me a ton even with a little less mobility in it.  I played a lot of golf down in NC and I am very please with how the wrist held up to all of that.

As I reflect on the season I feel a renewed but cautious desire to work on improving my game. Maybe not at the same level I once did but the desire remains, and that is good.  I am looking forward to next season.

 

On 5/20/2017 at 9:25 AM, bkuehn1952 said:

Keep re-habbing the game.  The odds are against it but maybe we will be partners at the Newport Cup.  Lucky you!

Oh and @bkuehn1952, i'll get that driver straightened out for next time. ;-)

  • Like 4
Squeens33

Posted

I know this Blog is from awhile ago, but I hurt my wrist about 2 months ago while hitting a bunker shot lying on an upslope and my doctor is 95% I tore my ECU Tendon as well. Felt the pain directly on impact, took a few weeks off and tried to play again but topped a 5-iron on hole 3 and the pain came right back (worse though). I took about 6 weeks off and just tried playing again this past weekend - swinging does not hurt, but if I don't hit the ball pure than the pain comes right back & my grip is not the same to avoid my wrist popping. 

I have an MRI on 10/20 and surgery scheduled on 10/29 (if needed) - I wanted to hear more about your recovery. Your injury sounds worse than mine, as I am still able to lift heavy weights 4-6 days a week & do basically everything without pain except heavy curls & golf.

How long was it until you were able to begin physical activity of any kind? Running, stationary bike, lifting weights, etc. - I am a very active person and am dreading surgery because I know I'll be out of lifting for awhile & physical activity as a whole. 

What was the worst part of surgery? - FYI I swing lefty but do everything else with my right hand, my right wrist is the one with the probable ECU tear so a lot of my day-to-day activities will be harder unfortunately. 

When did physical therapy start after surgery?

When did you feel like you could start swinging 100% again? 

Thanks in advance. I hope I'm not too late to comment on this blog. Glad to see from your activity that you are back to playing solid golf & loving it again. I miss it a lot.

cipher

Posted

On 10/7/2024 at 3:42 PM, Squeens33 said:

I know this Blog is from awhile ago, but I hurt my wrist about 2 months ago while hitting a bunker shot lying on an upslope and my doctor is 95% I tore my ECU Tendon as well. Felt the pain directly on impact, took a few weeks off and tried to play again but topped a 5-iron on hole 3 and the pain came right back (worse though). I took about 6 weeks off and just tried playing again this past weekend - swinging does not hurt, but if I don't hit the ball pure than the pain comes right back & my grip is not the same to avoid my wrist popping. 

I have an MRI on 10/20 and surgery scheduled on 10/29 (if needed) - I wanted to hear more about your recovery. Your injury sounds worse than mine, as I am still able to lift heavy weights 4-6 days a week & do basically everything without pain except heavy curls & golf.

How long was it until you were able to begin physical activity of any kind? Running, stationary bike, lifting weights, etc. - I am a very active person and am dreading surgery because I know I'll be out of lifting for awhile & physical activity as a whole. 

What was the worst part of surgery? - FYI I swing lefty but do everything else with my right hand, my right wrist is the one with the probable ECU tear so a lot of my day-to-day activities will be harder unfortunately. 

When did physical therapy start after surgery?

When did you feel like you could start swinging 100% again? 

Thanks in advance. I hope I'm not too late to comment on this blog. Glad to see from your activity that you are back to playing solid golf & loving it again. I miss it a lot.

It has been a while but I will try and fill you in to the best of my ability. I could do a lot of activities after the surgery but just not many that involved the left hand for me since that is what was operated on in my case.  It was about 6 weeks post-surgery before physical therapy recovered. If you have good flexibility and mobility in general hopefully that helps because I had some struggles with physical therapy and I think it was about 9 months after surgery before I tried to swing a golf club.  I could be a bit off on this.  I felt like I was close to 100% about a year after surgery.  I will be forthcoming though in saying I never got full mobility of my wrist back but I also don't really work on it and should.  The good news is I am back to playing golf at a greater ability than I was before the accident.  I personally would be afraid to do heavy weightlifting after this surgery but your doctor obviously will let you know what you can do. Let me know if you went through with the surgery. 

Thank you @bkuehn1952 for tagging me to see this as he knows I don't log in all that often. Hope you are doing well!

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